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Fraudster Sonia Hergest of Margate to pay back donations for stolen wheelchair in Dartford after conviction for fraud revealed

A convicted fraudster who set up a fundraising page after her wheelchair was stolen and burnt out has said she will return all the money donated.

In just two hours this week, more than £500 had been pledged when a Facebook post about Sonia Hergest’s stolen wheelchair went viral.

The cerebral palsy sufferer said she was left “heartbroken” when her chair was stolen in Dartford on Sunday evening.

Sonia Hergest, from Margate
Sonia Hergest, from Margate

Police confirmed that it was found burnt to pieces and pictures of it were posted online and they are investigating.

A “Go Fund Me” donation page was set up by Ms Hergest, alongside the opportunity to pay straight into her PayPal account, entitled “Sonia’s Wheelchair” and soon people had given £575.

But within a few hours some had raised concerns, because an internet search of her name brought up her crimes which saw her jailed last year after she fleeced investors out of thousands of pounds by claiming to get good returns on stocks and shares.

Sonia Hergest has said she will pay all the money donated after her wheelchair was stolen and burnt out
Sonia Hergest has said she will pay all the money donated after her wheelchair was stolen and burnt out

The court heard back in June 2013 that more than 15 investors were fleeced to fund her flamboyant lifestyle, including holidays to St Lucia, Turkey, Cuba and the USA.

She was jailed for two years after pleading guilty to 15 charges of fraud.

Those who had donated quickly turned on Ms Hergest, who was forced to post on her fundraising page: “I have asked admin to refund all donations because I am being accused of a scam.

“This is because I have a previous conviction for which I was punished. My wheelchair was stolen and burnt and I am genuinely thankful for all the offers of support.”

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